Nick Marsh (Vocals/Guitar) & James Mitchell (Drums) start Flesh For… Read Full Bio ↴1982
Nick Marsh (Vocals/Guitar) & James Mitchell (Drums) start Flesh For Lulu & are swiftly joined by Glen Bishop (Bass) and ex-Wasted Youth Guitarist Rocco Barker (Guitar/Vocals)
Flesh become part of the “Batcave scene” and are key amongst early glam-goth bands, touring with the likes of Specimen and Alien Sex Fiend
1983
The band record demo tracks which include an early version of “Restless” (then called “All That You Know”), “Spy In Your Mind”, “DNA” and “Dark & The Gun”
On the strength of the demos and the live reaction they are starting to generate Flesh are signed to Polydor
Their first release release for the label is “Roman Candle” on 7" & 12” – the 12” EP including the immortal words “24 Minutes Of Music Very Cheap!” on the cover
1984
The debut album is recorded and Polydor choose “Subteranneans” as the first single
The month of May is spent touring the UK in a support slot for The Sisters Of Mercy
The band release their self titled first album to a luke-warm response
“Restless” is released as a follow up single
Polydor “fail to promote” the first album well enough and sales are low – Flesh are dropped from the label
Glen Bishop leaves the band and is replaced by Kevin Mills (ex-Specimen)
The year finishes with “Subteraneans” reaching number 39 in "John Peels Festive Fifty" (a joint placing with Cocteau Twins “Pandora”)
1985
Flesh sign to Hybrid Records
“Blue Sisters Swing" released
The “nun’s kissing” cover is banned in Spain
More demos are recorded including the songs “Crime Of Passsion”, “Good For You”, and an early version of “I Go Crazy”
Flesh meet with Craig Leon to produce new material
“Baby Hurricane” released
“Big Fun City” released
1986
A live show is released on video under the title “Live Flesh” filmed at the Camden Palace in London on 19th May 1985
A live album “Fresh Flesh”, featuring all the non-Polydor tracks from the gig is planned but never released
Flesh are signed to Beggars Banquet Records
“I Go Crazy” is used in the John Hughes’ film "Some Kind Of Wonderful" and is released on MCA Records
US college radio play makes it a minor hit
1986/7
Flesh Spend more time in USA
Derek “Del Boy” Greening (ex-Peter & The Test Tube Babies, also known as Del “Strange Fish”) joins to play guitar
1987
Beggar’s Banquet release “Siamese Twist”
“Postcards from Paradise” released by Beggar’s Banquet as the second single from “Long Live The New Flesh”
“Long Live The New Flesh” released to some acclaim in the US, but limited interest in the UK
The US version of the album includes the track “I Go Crazy”, the UK version does not
Much touring in US ensues – including supporting Bush
1988
Beggar’s Banquet release “I Go Crazy”
1989
“Plastic Fantastic” released
Singles from “Plastic Fantastic” include “Time & Space”, and “Decline & Fall”
Final part of the year is spent touring the USA in a support slot for Public Image Limited
1991/2
Flesh For Lulu can be considered defunct at some point between the end of 91 and early 1992
1996
Nick & Rocco re-group and become Gigantic and release the album “Disenchanted” on Columbia Records after failing to strike a deal with Hollywood Records
They are joined by Dave Blair on bass and Al Fletcher on drums
The album was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Tim Palmer, who had previously worked with the Mission, Tin Machine and The Mighty Lemon Drops
1996/7
Gigantic tour the US with Bush and The Goo Goo Dolls
1998
Gigantic are dropped by Columbia Records and the band splits up
2001
Flesh For Lulu re-claim their original name and do a short tour in California during May & June with Gene Loves Jezebel
2002/3
Nick spends time on various projects including "Naked Goat" and lounge-core influenced solo material
2002/3
Rocco forms The Space Police a band which features raga toaster General Levy and Doctor Cat
Some gigs and an album titled “Money Maker” result
2003
Nick records & seeks a deal for a solo album (recorded by Mediaeval Babe Katherine Blake)
Gets management in the US, but no album release
2004
A compilation CD of “Big Fun City” & “Blue Sisters Swing” is released by Cherry Red Records
Good liner notes written by Nick and Rocco, but no bonus tracks
“Long Live The New Flesh”, is re-released on Supafecta Records
It is a digitally re-mastered version of the US release and contains four bonus tracks
In December rumours start to circulate about a new album, a front page for a website goes up promising a release through Gig Records
Flesh perform two gigs at Bring Your Own Poison @ The Rhythm Factory (London) some 16 years since their last UK appearance
2005
Rocco and his partner Dawn are to feature in a Channel 4 programme called "A Place In Spain" following them as they buy property in Spain
As part of the filming for the show a gig is played at the Borderline in London on the 28th April
2006
Nicks solo album "A Universe Between Us" is released
2013
More recently since 2013, having reformed with a new lineup.
Plastic Fantastic
Flesh For Lulu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plastic fantastic
I can feel it when you talk
See it when you walk that way
I'm gonna swim 'cross the ocean
In the black of night
You can never see the depths
Plastic fantastic
I really think it's cool
Children will be children
I don't wanna go to school
Plastic fantastic, do ya believe it?
Plastic fantastic
Something you just gotta see
I'm a sc-fi baby of the twenty-first century
Plastic fantastic, do ya believe it
Plastic fantastic, don't really need it
Look here right now
In my neighborhood
Yeah, got to do something
It's got to be something good
Burn, tiger, burn, run just as fast as you can
We're gonna build you a concrete jungle
Cause we don't really understand
It's a shame
Plastic fantastic, do ya believe it?
Plastic fantastic, don't really need it
I know you from another world
You're everywhere in general
And no place in particular
I can feel it when you talk that way
Plastic fantastic
I really think it's cool
Burn, tiger, burn, run just as fast as you can
Plastic fantastic, something you just gotta see
I'm a sc-fi baby of the twenty-first century
That's me
Plastic fantastic, I can feel it when you talk
See it when you walk that way, bye bye
The lyrics to Flesh For Lulu's song "Plastic Fantastic" seem to be a commentary on the superficiality of modern society, particularly in Hollywood, depicted as "tinsel town". The lines "Plastic fantastic, do ya believe it?" and "Plastic fantastic, don't really need it" suggest a cynical attitude towards the obsession with materialism and appearance. The singer describes feeling the artificiality of this world in the way someone talks and walks.
The second verse adds a layer of desire for escape, fantasizing about swimming across the ocean in the black of night, away from the shallow world of plastic. However, the line "You can never see the depths, never reach the distant shore" indicates that even in such an escape, there may be an unattainable destination. The chorus repeats the phrase "Plastic fantastic" as if to emphasize the pervasive nature of this perceived artificiality, and the bridge introduces a sense of urgency, with the words "Burn, tiger, burn, run just as fast as you can" echoing the lyrics of the popular children's song "The Tiger Who Came to Tea".
Overall, the lyrics of "Plastic Fantastic" can be interpreted as a critique of the emptiness of modern consumer culture and the yearning to break away from its artifice.
Line by Line Meaning
We love tinsel town
We enjoy the glamour and artificiality of Hollywood.
Plastic fantastic
We are attracted to and appreciate things that are synthetic and superficial.
I can feel it when you talk
I sense a strong artificiality in your speech and mannerisms.
See it when you walk that way
I observe a distinct inauthenticity in your gait and posture.
I'm gonna swim 'cross the ocean
I have a desire to travel and explore, even if it means crossing vast bodies of water.
In the black of night
Under the cover of darkness, when things are obscured and unclear.
You can never see the depths
The true extent of something cannot be fully comprehended or known.
Never reach the distant shore
It may be difficult or impossible to get to a far-off destination or goal.
Children will be children
Kids will act instinctively and impulsively, without much regard for the consequences.
I don't wanna go to school
I would rather not participate in formal education or structured learning environments.
Plastic fantastic, do ya believe it?
Can you accept and appreciate the beauty in shallow, artificial things?
Something you just gotta see
There are certain synthetic items or experiences that one must witness in order to fully appreciate.
I'm a sc-fi baby of the twenty-first century
I am a person who is influenced by science fiction and futuristic aesthetics, as shaped by the modern era.
Don't really need it
In actuality, we could do without the superficial and artificial things we are drawn to.
Look here right now
Pay attention to the present moment and what is happening around us.
In my neighborhood
Within my immediate environment or community.
Yeah, got to do something
We must take some sort of action to address or change the situation.
It's got to be something good
Our actions must result in a positive outcome, effect, or impact.
Burn, tiger, burn, run just as fast as you can
Move quickly and urgently, as if in pursuit of a goal or objective.
We're gonna build you a concrete jungle
We will construct an environment or setting that is austere, brutal, and artificial, much like a cityscape made of concrete.
Cause we don't really understand
We lack comprehension, empathy, or a true understanding of the situation and its complexities.
It's a shame
This is an unfortunate, regrettable, or disappointing circumstance or outcome.
I know you from another world
I sense that you are not of this world, and perhaps come from an unfamiliar or foreign place or culture.
You're everywhere in general
You are ubiquitous, and appear to be present and influential in many places and situations.
And no place in particular
However, I am unable to pinpoint your exact location or origin.
Bye bye
A casual and informal way of saying goodbye or departing from a conversation or interaction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES WILLIAM MITCHELL, KEVIN SEAN MILLS, NICK MARSH, ROCCO MICHELE BARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind